Ravitch: Common Core too complex for young students

...Beyond
the testing difficulties, one of the criticisms of the Common Core, in
New York and elsewhere, is that it can be too demanding for young
grades. Diane Ravitch,
an educational historian, has said that very little of what is taught
to first graders about ancient civilizations will stick with them; Mr.
Hirsch and other defenders of the Common Core say children in early
grades need lessons in history, civics, science and literature to build
vocabularies and thrive.

In
interviews with a range of teachers in New York City, most said their
students were doing higher-quality work than they had ever seen, and
were talking aloud more often. But it has not come without sweat.
Homework is more complex and takes longer, several said, and in some
cases is frustrating parents.

Teachers
also said that pupils who were already struggling, particularly those
who speak limited English, were facing greater challenges. Nonnative
speakers are having a harder time in math because the new curriculums
require greater use of word problems....